Rotary hoe

Claim 2

A rotary hoe comprising: an elongated toolbar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the toolbar for connection with a tractor three-point hitch; at least one elongated pivot shaft mounted along a lower rear corner of the toolbar and extending generally parallel thereto; a plurality of support arms spaced along the length of the toolbar and having forward portions pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for vertical swinging movement of the arms within a normal working range; the support arms extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the toolbar and terminating in lower rear ends so that upon upward and downward pivotal movement of each support arm the horizontal dimension thereof between its lower rear end and the pivotal connection between it and the toolbar will increase and decrease respectively; the extreme forward end of each of the support arms extending under the toolbar to limit the downward pivotal movement of the support arm by engagement with the bottom of the toolbar; means acting between the toolbar and support arms to provide a downward force which increases and decreases as the support arms pivot upwardly and downwardly, respectively, on each support arm at a substantially constant horizontal distance from the pivotal connections between the support arms and toolbar so as to maintain a substantially constant downward force on the lower rear end of each support arm within its normal working range; a walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm for movement about a transverse axis; and a set of front and rear rotary hoe wheels mounted on the ends of each walker arm for independent rotation, whereby, when the rotary hoe is lowered by the tractor three-point hitch, at least a portion of the weight of the toolbar is transferred to the hoe wheels to provide a constant equal down pressure on each hoe wheel.

Claim 3

A rotary hoe set forth in claim 1 wherein the means acting between the toolbar and support arms to provide a down pressure on the loweR rear ends of the support arms includes a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot shaft and having one end acting against the toolbar and another end acting against one of the support arms.

Claim 4

A rotary hoe set forth in claim 2 wherein the lower rear end of each support arm is bifurcated to provide a pair of legs joined together at their upper end by a web, and the walker arms are pivotally mounted between the legs of the bifurcated lower rear ends of the support arms.

Claim 5

A rotary hoe set forth in claim 3 wherein the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms is rearward of the transverse center line of the walker arm and below the centers of the axes of rotation of the hoe wheels on the walker arms.

Claim 6

A rotary hoe comprising: an elongated frame extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the frame for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of transversely spaced support arms pivotally connected to the frame for individual pivotal movement within a normal working range; each of the support arms extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the frame so that upon upward and rearward pivotal movement and downward and forward pivotal movement of each arm within its normal working range, the horizontal distance between the lower rear end of the arm and the pivotal connection between the arm and frame will increase and decrease respectively; spring means acting between the toolbar and each arm providing a downward bias on each arm which cooperates with the varying horizontal dimension of each arm to maintain a substantially constant downward force on the rear end of each arm; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm; and a rotary hoe wheel having a plurality of radially extending tines with outer tip portions projecting forwardly with respect to the normal direction of rotation mounted on each end of each walker arm for rotation independent of the other whereby movement of the support and walker arms permits the rotary hoe to conform to soil contours and a substantially constant downward force is maintained on the pair of hoe wheels on each walker arm irrespective of their vertical position with respect to other pairs of hoe wheels; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm and below the centers of the axes of rotation of the hoe wheels on the walker arm.

Claim 7

A rotary hoe comprising: an elongated frame extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the frame for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of transversely spaced support arms pivotally connected to the frame for individual pivotal movement within a normal working range; each of the support arms extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the frame so that upon upward and rearward pivotal movement and downward and forward pivotal movement of each arm within its normal working range, the horizontal distance between the lower rear end of the arm and the pivotal connection between the arm and frame will increase and decrease respectively; spring means acting between the toolbar and each arm providing a downward bias on each arm which cooperates with the varying horizontal dimension of each arm to maintain a substantially constant downward force on the rear end of each arm; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm; and a rotary hoe wheel having a plurality of radially extending tines with outer tip portions projecting forwardly with respect to the normal direction of rotation mounted on each end of each walker arm for rotation independent of the other whereby movement of the support and walker arms permits the rotary hoe to conform to soil contours and a substantially constant downward force is maintained on the pair of hoe wheels on each walker arm irrespective of their vertical position with respect to other pairs of hoe wheels; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm and below the centers of the axes of rotation of the hoe wheels on the walker arm.

Claim 8

A rotary hoe as set forth in claim 5 wherein the hoe wheels on the opposite ends of each walker arm are mounted on opposite sides of their respective walker arm.

Claim 9

A rotary hoe set forth in claim 5 wherein stop means carried by each support arm will directly contact the frame to limit downward pivotal movement of the support arms.

Claim 10

A rotary hoe set forth in claim 7 wherein stop means act between the lower rear end of each support arm and the associated walker arm to limit pivotal movement of the walker arms.

Claim 11

A rotary hoe set forth in claim 8 wherein the lower rear end of each support arm is forked, the walker arms are pivotally mounted within the forked ends of the support arms, and the stop means acting between the lower rear ends of the support arms and the walker arms consists of the webs of the forked ends of the support arms.

Claim 12

A rotary hoe set forth in claim 8 wherein the spring means includes a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot axis of one of the support arms and having its ends acting between the toolbar and the one support arm.

Claim 13

A rotary hoe for working beds and flatland comprising: an elongated toolbar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the toolbar for connection with a tractor three-point hitch whereby the toolbar can be raised and lowered and moved over the ground by the tractor; at least one elongated pivot shaft mounted along a lower rear corner of the toolbar and extending generally parallel thereto; a plurality of support arms spaced along the toolbar and having forward portions pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for individual vertical swinging movement within a normal working range; the support arms being arched to extend generally rearwardly and downwardly from their forward portions to lower rear ends so that as the support arms pivot upwardly and downwardly their horizontal dimensions increase and decrease respectively; a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot shaft and having one end acting against the toolbar and another end acting directly against one of the support arms to provide a substantially equal downward force on the lower rear end of each support arm which remains substantially constant within the normal working range of the support arms; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm for movement about a transverse axis; and a set of front and rear rotary hoe wheels each having a plurality of generally radially extending tines having outer tip portions projecting slightly forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation mounted on the ends and on opposite sides of each walker arm for rotation of each independent of the other; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm and below the centers of the axes of rotation of the hoe wheels on the walker arm, whereby, when the rotary hoe is lowered by the tractor three-point hitch, at least a portion of the weight of the toolbar is transferred to the hoe wheels to provide a substantially constant equal downward force on each hoe wheel during use and the support and walker arms will move about their pivots so the rotary hoe conforms to the ground contour.

Claim 14

A rotary hoe for working beds and flatland comprising: an elongated toolbar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the toolbar for connection with a tractor three-point hitch whereby the toolbar can be raised and lowered and moved over the ground by the tractor; at least one elongated pivot shaft mounted along a lower rear corner of the toolbar and extending generally parallel thereto; a plurality of support arms spaced along the toolbar and having forward portions pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for individual vertical swinging movement within a normal working range; the support arms being arched to extend generally rearwardly and downwardly from their forward portions to lower rear ends so that as the support arms pivot upwardly and downwardly their horizontal dimensions increase and decrease respectively; a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot shaft and having one end acting against the toolbar and another end acting directly against one of the support arms to provide a substantially equal downward force on the lower rear end of each support arm which remains substantially constant within the normal working range of the support arms; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm for movement about a transverse axis; and a set of front and rear rotary hoe wheels each having a plurality of generally radially extending tines having outer tip portions projecting slightly forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation mounted on the ends and on opposite sides of each walker arm for rotation of each independent of the other; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm and below the centers of the axes of rotation of the hoe wheels on the walker arm, whereby, when the rotary hoe is lowered by the tractor three-point hitch, at least a portion of the weight of the toolbar is transferred to the hoe wheels to provide a substantially constant equal downward force on each hoe wheel during use and the support and walker arms will move about their pivots so the rotary hoe conforms to the ground contour.

Claim 15

A rotary hoe as set forth in claim 11 wherein the extreme forward ends of the support arms extend under the toolbar and limit the downward pivotal movement of the support arms by engagement with the bottom of the toolbar.

Claim 16

A rotary hoe as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of the support arms includes an integral forked lower end and the walker arms are pivotally mounted within the forked ends of the support arms, whereby, engagement between the walker arms and the webs of the forked ends of the support arms limits the movements of the walker arms with respect to the support arms.

Claim 17

A rotary hoe comprising: an elongated frame extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the frame for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of transversely spaced support arms pivotally connected to the frame for individual pivotal movement within a normal working range; each of the support arms extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the frame so that upon upward and rearward pivotal movement and downward and forward pivotal movement of each arm within its normal working range, the horizontal distance between the lower rear end of the arm and the pivotal connection between the arm and frame will increase and decrease respectively; spring means acting between the toolbar and each arm providing a downward bias on each arm which cooperates with the varying horizontal dimension of each arm to maintain a substantially constant downward force on the rear end of each arm; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm; and a rotary hoe wheel having a plurality of radially extending tines with outer tip portions projecting forwardly with respect to the normal direction of rotation mounted on each end of each walker arm for rotation independent of the other whereby movement of the support and walker arms permits the rotary hoe to conform to soil contours and a substantially constant downward force is maintainEd on the pair of hoe wheels on each walker arm irrespective of their vertical position with respect to other pairs of hoe wheels; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm so that a greater portion of the downward force on each pair of hoe wheels is applied to the rear wheel.

Claim 18

A rotary hoe comprising: an elongated frame extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the frame for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of transversely spaced support arms pivotally connected to the frame for individual pivotal movement within a normal working range; each of the support arms extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the frame so that upon upward and rearward pivotal movement and downward and forward pivotal movement of each arm within its normal working range, the horizontal distance between the lower rear end of the arm and the pivotal connection between the arm and frame will increase and decrease respectively; spring means acting between the toolbar and each arm providing a downward bias on each arm which cooperates with the varying horizontal dimension of each arm to maintain a substantially constant downward force on the rear end of each arm; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm; and a rotary hoe wheel having a plurality of radially extending tines with outer tip portions projecting forwardly with respect to the normal direction of rotation mounted on each end of each walker arm for rotation independent of the other whereby movement of the support and walker arms permits the rotary hoe to conform to soil contours and a substantially constant downward force is maintainEd on the pair of hoe wheels on each walker arm irrespective of their vertical position with respect to other pairs of hoe wheels; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm so that a greater portion of the downward force on each pair of hoe wheels is applied to the rear wheel.

Claim 19

A rotary hoe comprising: an elongated frame extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the frame for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of transversely spaced support arms pivotally connected to the frame for individual pivotal movement within a normal working range; each of the support arms extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the frame so that upon upward and rearward pivotal movement and downward and forward pivotal movement of each arm within its normal working range, the horizontal distance between the lower rear end of the arm and the pivotal connection between the arm and frame will increase and decrease respectively; spring means acting between the toolbar and each arm providing a downward bias on each arm which cooperates with the varying horizontal dimension of each arm to maintain a substantially constant downward force on the rear end of each arm; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm; and a rotary hoe wheel having a plurality of radially extending tines with outer tip portions projecting forwardly with respect to the normal direction of rotation mounted on each end of each walker arm for rotation independent of the other whereby movement of the support and walker arms permits the rotary hoe to conform to soil contours and a substantially constant downward force is maintained on the pair of hoe wheels on each walker arm irrespective of their vertical position with respect to other pairs of hoe wheels; the centers of the axis of rotation of the hoe wheels on each walker arm being located above the pivotal connection between the associated set of walker and support arms so that the horizontal component of the force created by rolling resistance to the wheels during use tends to transfer a portion of the downward force on the front hoe wheels to the rear hoe wheels.

Claim 20

A rotary hoe comprising: an elongated frame extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the frame for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of transversely spaced support arms pivotally connected to the frame for individual pivotal movement within a normal working range; each of the support arms extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the frame so that upon upward and rearward pivotal movement and downward and forward pivotal movement of each arm within its normal working range, the horizontal distance between the lower rear end of the arm and the pivotal connection between the arm and frame will increase and decrease respectively; spring means acting between the toolbar and each arm providing a downward bias on each arm which cooperates with the varying horizontal dimension of each arm to maintain a substantially constant downward force on the rear end of each arm; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm; and a rotary hoe wheel having a plurality of radially extending tines with outer tip portions projecting forwardly with respect to the normal direction of rotation mounted on each end of each walker arm for rotation independent of the other whereby movement of the support and walker arms permits the rotary hoe to conform to soil contours and a substantially constant downward force is maintained on the pair of hoe wheels on each walker arm irrespective of their vertical position with respect to other pairs of hoe wheels; the centers of the axis of rotation of the hoe wheels on each walker arm being located above the pivotal connection between the associated set of walker and support arms so that the horizontal component of the force created by rolling resistance to the wheels during use tends to transfer a portion of the downward force on the front hoe wheels to the rear hoe wheels.

Claim 21

A rotary hoe for working beds and flatland comprising: an elongated toolbar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the toolbar for connection with a tractor three-point hitch whereby the toolbar can be raised and lowered and moved over the ground by the tractor; at least one elongated pivot shaft mounted along a lower rear corner of the toolbar and extending generally parallel thereto; a plurality of support arms spaced along the toolbar and having forward portions pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for individual vertical swinging movement within a normal working range; the support arms being arched to extend generally rearwardly and downwardly from their forward portions to lower rear ends so that as the support arms pivot upwardly and downwardly their horizontal dimensions increase and decrease respectively; a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot shaft and having one end acting against the toolbar and another end acting directly against one of the support arms to provide a substantially equal downward force on the lower rear end of each support arm which remains substantially constant within the normal working range of the support arms; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm for movement about a transverse axis; and a set of front and rear rotary hoe wheels each having a plurality of generally radially extending tines having outer tip portions projecting slightly forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation mounted on the ends and on opposite sides of each walker arm for rotation of each independent of the othEr; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm so that a greater portion of the downward force on each pair of hoe wheels is applied to the rear wheel, whereby, when the rotary hoe is lowered by the tractor three-point hitch, at least a portion of the weight of the toolbar is transferred to the hoe wheels to provide a substantially constant equal downward force on each hoe wheel during use and the support and walker arms will move about their pivots so the rotary hoe conforms to the ground contour.

Claim 22

A rotary hoe for working beds and flatland comprising: an elongated toolbar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the toolbar for connection with a tractor three-point hitch whereby the toolbar can be raised and lowered and moved over the ground by the tractor; at least one elongated pivot shaft mounted along a lower rear corner of the toolbar and extending generally parallel thereto; a plurality of support arms spaced along the toolbar and having forward portions pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for individual vertical swinging movement within a normal working range; the support arms being arched to extend generally rearwardly and downwardly from their forward portions to lower rear ends so that as the support arms pivot upwardly and downwardly their horizontal dimensions increase and decrease respectively; a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot shaft and having one end acting against the toolbar and another end acting directly against one of the support arms to provide a substantially equal downward force on the lower rear end of each support arm which remains substantially constant within the normal working range of the support arms; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm for movement about a transverse axis; and a set of front and rear rotary hoe wheels each having a plurality of generally radially extending tines having outer tip portions projecting slightly forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation mounted on the ends and on opposite sides of each walker arm for rotation of each independent of the othEr; the pivotal connection between each set of walker and support arms being rearward of the transverse centerline of the walker arm so that a greater portion of the downward force on each pair of hoe wheels is applied to the rear wheel, whereby, when the rotary hoe is lowered by the tractor three-point hitch, at least a portion of the weight of the toolbar is transferred to the hoe wheels to provide a substantially constant equal downward force on each hoe wheel during use and the support and walker arms will move about their pivots so the rotary hoe conforms to the ground contour.

Claim 23

A rotary hoe for working beds and flatland comprising: an elongated toolbar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the toolbar for connection with a tractor three-point hitch whereby the toolbar can be raised and lowered and moved over the ground by the tractor; at least one elongated pivot shaft mounted along a lower rear corner of the toolbar and extending generally parallel thereto; a plurality of support arms spaced along the toolbar and having forward portions pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for individual vertical swinging movement within a normal working range; the support arms being arched to extend generally rearwardly and downwardly from their forward portions to lower rear ends so that as the support arms pivot upwardly and downwardly their horizontal dimensions increase and decrease respectively; a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot shaft and having one end acting against the toolbar and another end acting directly against one of the support arms to provide a substantially equal downward force on the lower rear end of each support arm which remains substantially constant within the normal working range of the support arms; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm for movement about a transverse axis; and a set of front and rear rotary hoe wheels each having a plurality of generally radially extending tines having outer tip portions projecting slightly forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation mounted on the ends and on opposite sides of each walker arm for rotation of each independent of the other; the centers of the axis of rotation of the hoe wheels on each walker arm being located above the pivotal connection between the associated set of walker and support arms so that the horizontal component of the force created by rolling resistance to the wheels during use tends to transfer a portion of the downward force on the front hoe wheels to the rear hoe wheels, whereby, when the rotary hoe is lowered by the tractor three-point hitch, at least a portion of the weight of the toolbar is transferred to the hoe wheels to provide a substantially constant equal downward force on each hoe wheel during use and the support and walker arms will move about their pivots so the rotary hoe conforms to the ground contour.

Claim 24

A rotary hoe for working beds and flatland comprising: an elongated toolbar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the toolbar for connection with a tractor three-point hitch whereby the toolbar can be raised and lowered and moved over the ground by the tractor; at least one elongated pivot shaft mounted along a lower rear corner of the toolbar and extending generally parallel thereto; a plurality of support arms spaced along the toolbar and having forward portions pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for individual vertical swinging movement within a normal working range; the support arms being arched to extend generally rearwardly and downwardly from their forward portions to lower rear ends so that as the support arms pivot upwardly and downwardly their horizontal dimensions increase and decrease respectively; a plurality of helical torsion springs, each torsion spring being mounted on the pivot shaft and having one end acting against the toolbar and another end acting directly against one of the support arms to provide a substantially equal downward force on the lower rear end of each support arm which remains substantially constant within the normal working range of the support arms; a generally fore-and-aft extending walker arm pivotally mounted on the lower rear end of each support arm for movement about a transverse axis; and a set of front and rear rotary hoe wheels each having a plurality of generally radially extending tines having outer tip portions projecting slightly forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation mounted on the ends and on opposite sides of each walker arm for rotation of each independent of the other; the centers of the axis of rotation of the hoe wheels on each walker arm being located above the pivotal connection between the associated set of walker and support arms so that the horizontal component of the force created by rolling resistance to the wheels during use tends to transfer a portion of the downward force on the front hoe wheels to the rear hoe wheels, whereby, when the rotary hoe is lowered by the tractor three-point hitch, at least a portion of the weight of the toolbar is transferred to the hoe wheels to provide a substantially constant equal downward force on each hoe wheel during use and the support and walker arms will move about their pivots so the rotary hoe conforms to the ground contour.